350 horse MCX or 310 horse with power slot ?

[boatless]

I need your opinion,

Which option would you pick if you were buying a boat ? 350 MCX or 310 horse engine with the power slot ? This is for a 197 prostar.

Thanks.

[jkski]

350 MCX. I've had both and given the choice, and if you are willing to spend the extra $$$, then you can't go wrong with the MCX.
Are you on a private lake with a short set-up? If so, then the combo of the MCX and gear reduction tranny is great.

[BrianM]

Why choose? Do both.

[zberger]

What exactly does power slot do?

If someone could explain it to me

[88 PS190]

Power slot is a gear reduction drive, in the old boats it was 1.5 to 1, ie engine turns 1.5 times prop turns once.

Currently powerslot transmissions are more like 1.23 to 1, although i'd have to look up the new ratio.

By doing this the engine can turn a larger prop, but does so more slowly, the result being more low end grunt and better acceleration.

Origionally powerslots came out because some of the larger skiers with their old school techniques were out pulling the boats and they were loosing boat times through the course.

Standard trans are 1:1 non reduction running a smaller prop. Fine for most people, but on private ski lakes with short set ups before the course you need to get the boat up to speed quickly, and the gear reductions help with this.

[zberger]

Does the lower ratio on the newer boats come from better hull, engine and prop design?

So with powerslot, you lose some top end, in picking up speed on the low end.

Barefooters and hardcore slalom people would want powerslot right.. ?

[86Craft]

I would not think barefooters would want to loose top end.
I'm not sure going to more horse power would ever be a bad thing.
Other than maybe a slight change in wake.

[boatless]

The dealer has a 2005 197 with a 310 horse engine and power slot. It has great discount, but I always want one with the MCX. I don't want to buy a boat with a discount and regret that I did not have what I want.

[BrianM]

The dealer has a 2005 197 with a 310 horse engine and power slot. It has great discount, but I always want one with the MCX. I don't want to buy a boat with a discount and regret that I did not have what I want.

In that case go ahead with the 310 and the Slot. That is a nice combo. Ski it and drive it. If you like it buy it.

[86Craft]

In that case go ahead with the 310 and the Slot. That is a nice combo. Ski it and drive it. If you like it buy it.

Brian is 100% correct. Put both boats in the water and see for your self. It might be a pain if your dealer is not on the water, but it will be worth all the time. Good Luck!

[Ric]

mcx 1:1 or rtp 1.5:1 (slot)
either are great combos!

[zberger]

Brian is 100% correct. Put both boats in the water and see for your self. It might be a pain if your dealer is not on the water, but it will be worth all the time. Good Luck!

If I am making a 40,000 purchase, the dealer better be willing to let me test that boat.. sorry, but a test drive would be necessary for me.

[Ric]

I learned that it was hard to find alot of 197's laying around on dealer lots, let alone optioned differenly sitting side by side ready for a test ride. It took some doin, but I drove them all and skiid some of them

CC, Supra, Bu, MC(209,197TT,197rtp1:1,X7mcx1:1 and a few more)

[waterlogged882]

..........

[G-man]

I won't own another boat without gear reduction. It's great when pulling slalom skiers. I'm on a small private lake but wished for it many times before I was on the private lake.